In the week ending February 20, Noosa Council town water supply customers used 88 million litres of treated water – 44 million litres less than the average weekly consumption for the same period last year.

A council spokesperson said the reduction in water use could be attributed to people becoming more conscious of water conservation, and the fact that the summer had been wetter but cooler than last year.

In Maroochy, nearly all dams are full, with Cooloolabin at 96% capacity, while Wappa, Poona and Baroon Pocket are at 100%.

Caloundra residents source their water from Baroon Pocket Dam via Aquagen, a joint Caloundra/Maroochy water company.

Ewen Maddock Dam at Landsborough is surplus and not in use at present.

But restrictions, at least in Noosa shire, are to become a part of life.

“Three weeks ago Noosa Council came back to basic water restrictions,” Mr Steel said.